A. Brandt Zipp
Putting Thomas Commeraw Together Again: A Brief Meditation on Two Decades of Research

Ceramics in America 2024

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Contents
  • Figure 1
    Figure 1

    1810 Federal Census listing for Thomas Commeraw, with notation “B” (used to denote Blacks).

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2

    1800 Federal Census listing for Thomas Commeraw, with notation “a Black.”

  • Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Variety of vessel forms, Thomas W. Commeraw, New York City, early nineteenth century. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. (of jar at center) 12". (Photo, courtesy of the author.)

  • Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Trinity Church marriage record of Thomas “Commerau” to Mary Roe on August 5, 1792. (Courtesy, Trinity Church Archives, New York, New York.)

  • Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Nicholas Amantea, watercolor of a jug impressed “CORLEARS HOOK,” ca. 1936. Watercolor and graphite on paperboard, 11 3/8" x 9 1/4". (Courtesy, National Gallery of Art, Index of American Design.) While every single vessel impressed with a version of “CORLEARS HOOK” was made by Commeraw, this was never understood to be the case until very recently.

  • Figure 6
    Figure 6

    Jar, Thomas W. Commeraw, New York City, ca. 1797. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 9 1/2". Impressed “COERLEARS HOOK | N · YORK.” (Courtesy, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund, 1918.)

  • Figure 7
    Figure 7

    Jug, Thomas W. Commeraw, New York City, late eighteenth century. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 11". Impressed “N · YORK / COERLEARS HOOK.” (Photo, courtesy of the author.)

  • Figure 8
    Figure 8

    Jar, Thomas W. Commeraw, New York City, ca. 1797. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 11 5/8". Impressed “COERLEARS HOOK | N · YORK.” (Courtesy, Crocker Farm, Inc.)

  • Figure 9
    Figure 9

    Letter written by Thomas W. Commeraw from Campelar, Sherbro Island, West Africa, published in the December 14, 1821, issue of Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser.

  • Figure 10
    Figure 10

    Emigration Register of the American Colonization Society, documenting the Commeraw family’s (here bastardized with a more “African” spelling) embarking upon the Elizabeth. (Courtesy, Library of Congress.)

  • Figure 11
    Figure 11

    Detail of a letter from Rev. Henry J. Feltus to Peter A. Jay, July 20, 1821. (Courtesy, New-York Historical Society, Peter Augustus Jay Correspondence and Papers.)